Review of Amazfit PowerBuds - sports headphones with heart rate monitor

What should be headphones for sports? In the understanding of most manufacturers, this is something bright, wireless, with a secure fit and protection from moisture. However, Amazfit went further and released PowerBuds headphones with a heart rate sensor. We figure out whether it is worth buying them.

Table of contents

• Specifications
• Appearance and equipment
• Connection and communication
• Management and capabilities
• Sound
• Autonomy
• Outcome

Specifications

Appearance and equipment

The focus on athletes can be easily seen in the design of the Amazfit PowerBuds. The cases are decorated with a print - similar to those found on running shoes and other sports equipment. However, the headphones turned out to be discreet and look decent outside the gym.

The novelty is made of rubberized plastic and is protected from dust and moisture according to the IP55 standard. She is not afraid of rain or sweat, but you should not expect full moisture protection from the headphones and take them with you to the pool.

The enclosures consist of two sections: outer and inner. The first contains batteries, microphones, touchpads, and Bluetooth transmitters. The loudspeakers and proximity sensors are packed in the inner part, and the heart rate monitor is also in the right earpiece.

Considering the "stuffed" electronics, the headphones are very compact. The charging case is also small: it is slightly taller and thicker than the Samsung Galaxy Buds +. There is a USB Type ‑ C input for charging at the back, an LED indicator on the front. There is a function button inside the case.

Thanks to the streamlined shape, the headphones sit comfortably, and for better fit, the manufacturer has provided silicone arms with magnetic mounts. The latter at first seem not very reliable, but they hold the ears well during jogging. They are also retracted into special grooves on the lid of the charging case.

The set includes a charging cable and four pairs of silicone tips. The section of the sound guides is round, which allows the use of third-party accessories. This will make life easier if the supplied ear pads are lost.

Connection and communication

It's easy to connect headphones to your smartphone: just open the case, go to the Bluetooth settings and select PowerBuds from the list of devices. In the future, pairing will occur automatically when you open the case.

The range is about 10 m. You can leave your smartphone in the bedroom and go to the next room - the connection will still be stable. On the street and in transport, there are also no problems. The left and right channels are connected in parallel and independently of each other, which prevents them from being out of sync.

Each earbud is equipped with two microphones, which do an excellent job of capturing voice in headset mode. There is also a Thru Mode that broadcasts ambient noise over the music. This is especially useful for cyclistsbecause they need to constantly monitor the traffic situation.

Management and capabilities

Touchpads allow interaction with Amazfit PowerBuds. In the proprietary application, you can assign double and triple-click actions for each of the headphones.

The touch-panels accurately read the presses, but the lack of options such as hold and single tap is frustrating: it limits the set of commands.

The Amazfit app itself is convenient and functional. It provides an equalizer and workout modes that use the headphone heart rate monitor.

During the walk, the headphones averaged 86 beats per minute, while Xiaomi Mi Band 4 - 110 beats per minute. The spread is colossal. Unfortunately, it is impossible to estimate the error for each device without a medical heart rate monitor, and hardly any of them provide accurate metrics.

Sound

As befits a sports earbud, the Amazfit PowerBuds emphasize low frequencies for a more energetic sound. There is even a separate Beat Mode for extra bass boost.

This presentation is best combined with electronic music and rap. Headphones work well for rhythm, providing motivation for training. However, if we evaluate the quality of bass in more complex genres, everything is not so rosy. The sound of drums and guitars is rather booming and monotonous, there is no particular detail here.

Nonetheless, PowerBuds may suit those who like soft and stress-free sound. The delivery of vocals and high frequencies is detached, the music just sounds in the background and does not draw attention to itself. The only thing that catches your ears is the general rhythm and motive of the track.

Also, pronounced low frequencies allow you to lower the volume without losing the audibility of the bass. Together with good noise insulation, this allows you not to overload hearing.

Autonomy

The battery capacity in the charging case is 450 mAh, which is enough for two recharges. The headphones themselves can withstand up to 8 hours of continuous playback, and 15 minutes of recharge from the case provide 2 more hours of work.

During testing, Amazfit PowerBuds were discharged after 4 days of active use with listening to music, watching videos on YouTube and talking on the headset. It takes 2 hours to recharge the earbuds and case.

Outcome

Amazfit PowerBuds are not a revelation. The heart rate monitor is more of an attempt to stand out from the competition than a real innovation. Nevertheless, the model takes into account all the basic needs of an athlete: well-thought-out ergonomics, transparency mode, noise isolation, decent operating time and energetic sound. Considering the very reasonable cost, the novelty can be an excellent training companion.

Buy

The author thanks Amazfit for the device provided. The company had no way to influence the test result.